Punk rock show with a feminist twist at CSUSB

By Justin Layton

– November 13, 2012

Manifesta!, a Riot Grrrl event addressing controversial issues such as rape, domestic violence, sexuality and female empowerment, will be held at Cal State San Bernardino’s Santos Manuel Student Union lobby on Friday, Nov. 16.

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Influenced by previous strong female performers such as rock legend Joan Jett, the underground feminist punk movement known as Riot Grrrl promotes female equality and speaks about female issues that are often seen as taboo.

The event will be held from 8-11 p.m. and is free and open to the public; parking at Cal State San Bernardino is $5. Organizers expect 300 people to attend.

Riot Grrrl emerged in the early 1990s aiming to fire up “girl power” in today’s society. With a do-it-yourself attitude, the Riot Grrrl movement soon gained a lot of attention for women’s rights.

The punk rock-influenced movement quickly found national attention with notable appearances in newspapers and character portrayals on television. Members of the movement felt their values and messages had been undermined by the publicity turning them back to their underground roots.

Manifesta! will begin with a presentation from the Inland Empire word artist Ruth Nolan. Following Nolan’s opening, the show will start rocking with a variety of bands, including Potential Lunatics, The Meow Twins and Apostasis.

In addition to the rock show, CSUSB’s Women’s Resource Center will also sponsor an arrangement of other activities. The SMSU lobby will be full of life with vendors, do-it-yourself tables and a henna artist.